Anti-appeasement steles were 19th century monuments built in Korea to ostracize Westerners. They were erected by Heungseon Daewongun at more than 200 major transportation hubs across the country, including the four streets of Jongno. They were built in 1871 (the 8th year of reign by Emperor Gojong of the Joseon period). They were made of granite and were four cubits high, five cubits wide, and eight inches thick.
Emperor Gojong ascended the throne in 1863 at the age of twelve, leading to his father, Yi Ha-eung, being appointed Daewongun and taking power. At this time, the United States and Russia were approaching the Korean Peninsula to engage in commerce and occasionally staged armed provocations and demonstrations.
Yi initially attempted to negotiate with France to counterbalance Russia during the early years of his tenure. However, his policy stance swiftly shifted towards isolationism and an attempted robbery at the king's tomb. He established a policy that prohibited diplomatic relations and commerce with other countries, as to maintain control of the Joseon dynasty in 1871. To warn the people of this policy, stelae were set up by fire hydrants in April across the country.
In 1882, Japan invaded Korea and Yi Ha-eung was kidnapped by the Qing dynasty. Most of the stelae were demolished at the request of the Japanese government. In Seoul, one was buried near the Bosingak Pavilion in Jongno on 26 September 1882. The stele was rediscovered in June 1915 when the pavilion was relocated and displayed in a gallery west of Geunjeongjeon Hall in Gyeongbokgung Palace.
Stelae remain in about 30 locations.
The following words are written on the stele as an order:
æ´Â夷侵ç¯ éÂÂæ°åÂÂå 主åÂÂè³£åÂÂ
Then, in small letters, the next phrase is written on the side of the rain.
æÂÂæÂÂè¬年åÂÂå« ä¸Â寠你è¾Âæªç«Â
This means, "If you don't fight for Western's invasion, you'll surrender, so if you insist on surrender, you'll sell your country. I warn all the people.. Build it in Byeongin-year and set it up in Sinmi-year."